Miner touts AggreGate outlets sale

Miner Enterprises Inc. said Thursday, June 12, 2014 that "a Class I railroad has selected Miner's 5-foot manual AggreGate® outlets for 54 new ballast cars currently being built by FreightCar America, Inc." Miner did not identify the end-use customer.

The Miner AggreGate ballast gates distribute ballast on either side of the rails and will be used in conjunction with a solar-powered system that can be operated via radio control. In addition to ballast gates, Miner provided the constant side bearings and brake beams for the cars.

Miner says it developed the TecsPak® Constant Contact (TCC) side bearings to help decrease railcar life cycle costs. The excellent truck hunting control and improved curving performance, make it possible for railcars to operate at high speeds with reduced truck and wheel wear -- even under the toughest conditions.

Miner's Series 2008 brake beams are designed to minimize uneven brake shoe wear, reducing replacement by as much as 20%, the company says. Miner increased the brake beam's strength 35% to withstand the effects of car and truck impacts. The notched brake heads reduce beam binding for more consistent braking.